Mental Health insights - suite of article via Molly

A Checklist for Parents with Children with Mental Health Problems

For Teachers: Children’s Mental Health Disorder Fact Sheet for the Classroom

Promoting Mental Health at Home: How to Design the Perfect Meditation Room

Healthy Eating and Depression: How Diet May Help Protect Your Mental Health

5 Ways to Use Feng Shui in Your Home Design

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction

Anger Management and Addiction: How to Take Charge of Anger Issues in Sobriety

Elderly Mental Health: How to Help Your Senior

Coping with the Loss of a Loved One

From: Molly Anderson

Another nice link:
https://tradesmencosts.co.uk/meditation-room-mental-health

PPS Teachers are voting on their contract offer

I offered some input in a discussion on Facebook in a thread of a PFT teacher.

I posted.

Brava! You make a good case.

One tiny counter-point: There are public hearings when the board and the administration (you called them "they") get to listen to suggestions and concerns. Of course, the time to do that was months ago -- not when sparks were flying. Furthermore, written remarks are always able to be submitted. I trust that they are read, but who knows. To me, that is the focus group and meeting of consequence. Wants and needs for city taxpayers, students, families, government, employees, and all the other interest groups and stakeholders should be able to have a viable input forum. It happens monthly.

I do wish for a bit more transparency.
Plus, I hope that a strike is avoided.
Finally, I wonder about the details of sports coaching within the contract. But, I guess I can wait a bit longer to see what's what.

Public comment to PPS Board from Mark R

http://cloh.org/wp/archives/2002

Also in a PDF, https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sq9OUxW7NpULSOSLky0WYzs9BmYk9AX7

draft of a new slide deck on issues with PPS

Issues from Coach Mark Rauterkus concerning Pittsburgh Public Schools from Mark Rauterkus

Slide show updated

High school football player in Arizona -- dead.

From CNN:

Other links

• http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/10/23/arizona-high-school-football-player-death/790604001/
• https://www.gofundme.com/cs33strong
• 
  

Take a Father to School Day - propaganda

Screenagers

New running mates

Orlando showdown with a judge and an old man with his one-page handouts

Julian, who was just in Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago, is getting set for a Florida trip and visit to the area around the courthouse in Orlando. When most of us travel to Orlando, we know when we are going to check in and check out. An extended stay, "on the house," is generally not a bargain we are excited about. Here is his email. Time will tell as to who blinks. Could be Judge, Law Enforcement Officers, Governor, Homeland Security, -- or -- Liberty.

MOMENT OF DECISION

Our country’s moment of decision has occurred. I will be distributing one-page flyers regarding the Bill of Rights requirements for criminal trials. This will occur from 11:30 am-1;30 PM, or until arrested on December 5, 2016 at the Orange County courthouse on 425 Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL. The information on the flyers will be about “Nullification by Jury” and “Duty of a Witness.”

On 3 separate previous occasions, Mark Schmidter, I, and a 3rd person whose name I have lost, have been arrested by courthouse guards for doing this distribution. The content of the material was not at issue. The previous Chief Judge had established free-speech zones where distribution of these flyers was permitted. However it just happened that the free-speech zones were in locations that had no pedestrian traffic. Mark served 144 days in jail and I served 2 weeks in jail. I have written to the Department of Homeland Security and to the Florida governor for protection. Copies of my letters were sent to the Clerk of Court. A similar letter had been sent by me to the Florida militia.

I received no reply from any of the “so-called” freedom protection organizations. I did receive a written reply from the Chief Judge of the Orlando Court informing me that if I appeared I would be arrested. The information that I distribute is a one-page flyer passed out by one person on the public sidewalk connecting a parking lot to the courthouse. There is no hindrance of public traffic. Others are passing newspapers, business cards, and court documents at the same location. None of the others are even approached by court guards.

I have requested all Tyranny Fighters and others to appear at that courthouse with weapons to protect me from arrest in order to save our country. It is your option to appear or not to appear. If you do not appear now, you will appear within 2 years at the gas chambers. The future of our country is yours to decide. The choice is yours, but it must be made before next Monday.

THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IS ETERNAL VIGILANCE

High school and birthday athlete with Implant for hearing and without vision gets interview with Ellen

Perhaps his story can be worked into the new book we're updating, Time Out! I Didn't Hear You.

Let's fund Water Polo as a sport at Obama

See my expanded comments to the school board and superintendent asking for help to expand water polo at Obama. Talks of one possible next step for sport reform.

http://cloh.org/wp/archives/596

Water Polo is happening at MACS

Love the energy and improvements with the water polo. Next, I am excited to take the squads to the next level and really COMPETE. Those lessons open up new chapters to learning, discovery and understanding in how to play well with others. Games are scheduled in the days and weeks to come.

Take A Father to School Day's Litany of Commitment

This is the type of support some in PPS give to PPS Summer Dreamers

In spring 2016, I put in a pool permit to get ready for Summer Dreamers so that our summer staff can work with the existing kids at Obama at the pool -- and work with a renewal of swim skills with the kids I coached in past years as part of PPS Summer Dreamers. 

The permit was denied. The denial says, "NO SUMMER DREAMER STUFF."

I wanted to have ONE practice on Wednesdays from April to June. 

Go figure.

Futhermore, in future years this permit would be considered a blessing -- because there is an ANSWER. MOST of the time, interactions with PPS administrators have no replies. Silence. 

Swimming Video from Niagra

Ten minutes long:



The video has a certain tone and perspective about competitive swimming that is sorta harsh and negative.

Swim & Water Polo practices are starting for kids on Tuesdays and Fridays

Invite for kids from Pittsburgh!

Join new Swim & Water Polo practices.

From: Mark Rauterkus, Swim & Water Polo Coach

Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation & Pittsburgh Public Schools' Summer Dreamers Academy

Obama Academy, Sci-Tech and U-Prep Varsity Swim Team

To: Students at U-Prep, Teachers, Parents, Guardians and any possible summer-time employees wishing for jobs as a lifeguard and/or swim instructor

Let's go to the swim pool for a new, city-wide water polo program.

Learning to swim and then getting a job in the summers as a lifeguard and swim instructor is a big deal and something to celebrate! We are calling for all swimmers and non-swimmers to consider joining us for practices for a new activity. Learn to swim or swim better, stay in shape, grow stronger. You're encourage to consider these opportunities to make continued progress, new friends and learn new skills in the weeks and months to come with me in some BRAND NEW AQUATIC PROGRAMS just being announced.

All the city's middle school and high-school students, boys and girls, are invited to Swim & Water Polo practices. We will swim, work a bit on fitness, strokes, and then play and introduce everyone to water games such as water polo and SKWIM. Rookies are welcome. Bring your friends.

Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 pm at PPS Obama Academy.

Corner of East Liberty Blvd and Highland Ave, in East Liberty / Highland Park

Fridays from 5:30 to 7:00 pm – Thelma Lovette YMCA.

2114 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 – YMCA phone = 412-315-0990

First practices in February, 2016. An adult needs to sign in the student on the first first practice with the coach and with the YMCA on your first visit there. No charge to join. Bring your suit, goggles if you have them, towel and enthusiasm.

We are also looking for students to sign up for Summer Dreamers in Swim & Water Polo for 2016. Plus, we like to engage junior captains and junior lifeguards for service jobs in the summer with these activities with the BGC.

Mark Rauterkus, 412-298-3432 = cell

Mark@Bloomfield-Garfield.org Mrauterkus@PghBoe.Net Mark@Rauterkus.com

Starting our day at the crack of dawn. I.B. kids can handle the tough "why questions."

Enjoy this little film:



Share it and let me know what you think.

Show Up: The AM Swim Video

Highly competitive swimming helps with school attendance. Don't punish nor eliminate the positive aspects of sports. Rather, promote, facilitate and replicate.

Our swim team t-shirt slogan: “Winning Formula: Show up + Score more points.” Showing up matters. This United Way funded PR blitz with PPS stresses school attendance. Swimmers understand that message and live it.

On many mornings in the past years, 25+ students arrived at the school for 6 AM swim practices. In recent years, the Obama Swim Team has held 6 AM practices every school day (if no 2-hour delay). The 6 am practices often span into the fall and spring too.

At 7:15 am, as swim practice ends, swimmers are at the school. They are present, clean and ready to fuel their bodies and brains. Kids attending AM practice are not tardy for school.

Kids in quality, competitive programs understand that 6 am practices are essential. Champions understand the sacrifices and hard work are worthy. AM swim practices don't happen every where, as not all the teams are doing all they can.

One school day distinction between swimmers and other athletes are AM practices. Many college teams in other sports hold AM practices for their athletes. It would be great to have open gym and weight lifting times at 6 am for students, before school, more often at PPS. Perhaps with the Olympic Sports Division and efforts of PPS H2O, the early bird practices can be with more students, not only swimmers.

Two things to think about with Pittsburgh's next Superintendent of Schools

The first thing we need from a new superintendent is an approach that supports school and community sports. I'll devote a different post to that topic. Here is another set of insights that we should put high on the list.

I think that the new superintendent needs to understand buildings, building schools, and building school culture as applied to the buildings that they reside within.

I hate to write this as I am generally a "software" kind-a guy who stresses the PROGRAMS and not worried about the the "hardware" and the bricks and mortar. The buildings take a back seat to the teachers, the school culture, the education and the dynamic learning that can and should happen. But golly, in Pittsburgh, we got issues with old buildings and bad decisions within the buildings and huge capital overhead that is not helping to retain our sense of pride and scholarship that should be happening.

I get to go to a lot of school buildings as we travel around with sports programs. Our city facilities are weak. Sure, CAPA is sweet. But, as I see CAPA, I hate that it is grades 6-12 rather than just 9-12.

Westinghouse & Carrick got nice upgrades not too long ago, but have you seen what has been done at many suburban districts? BP, Lebo, Penn Hills, Baldwin, West Allegheny, USC, etc. And the schools we have visited elsewhere beyond W.Pa are sensational.

In terms of taxpayer interest, the school and capital questions should loom large for a superintendent search process. Managing a building project and construction teams is way beyond the comfort zone of what's in place now. And, PPS can't even get a penny on the dollar for its existing and non-utilized facilities.

PPS made some serious, generational mistakes with Schenley, with South Vo Tech and many other building and grounds assets.

I think the new superintendent should be able to point to their professional history and say that these X-Y-Z schools were rehabed, re-build, opened, and construction was managed flawlessly for the course of these multi-year efforts. And, I want to get construction firm testimonials with lots of documentation and critical review on those mega projects.

Above rant began at the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1684791538424529/

IB and College Credit insights

In 2015 - 2016, various colleges had various policies concerning IB course ACCEPTANCE for college credit. The kids at Pittsburgh Obama Academy in Pittsburgh Public Schools got these insights from their teacher, Mr. Ehman, the IB Coordinator and Film teacher at the school. He researched the schools based upon an expressed interest from the rising seniors. 

This complied list has the college name and what is offered to incoming freshmen in terms of college credits that is earned in high school. Do reconfirm this information.

ALLEGHENY:

Students may receive credit for a maximum of 20 semester credit hours (five courses). HL offerings 5,6,7 must submit to the school to determine credits.

BOSTON COLLEGE:

Each score of 6 or 7 on Higher Level Exams will earn advanced placement units and will generally satisfy a core requirement.

Film, Music, Theatre, Vis Arts = 3 credits

History = 6 credits

English = 6 credits

Spanish, French, German, Japanese HL = 6 credits

BOSTON UNIVERSITY:

Scores of 5,6, and 7 will earn 8 credits for the following IB areas.

Theater, Foreign Languages, History, Visual Arts, English

BROWN:

One or two Brown courses for a grade of 5 or 6 or higher, depending on the department.

History, English, Foreign Languages, Students must contact the school for all other HL courses.

BUCKNELL:

IB diploma recipients, with a minimum score of 5 on each of the six subject examinations, will be awarded six course credits toward their degree requirements at Bucknell. Diploma recipients who do not meet the minimum score requirements will receive course credit for only those higher level courses passed with a score of 5 or higher. IB Certificates students (non-diploma) will receive course credits for each higher level course passed with an examination score of 5 or higher. No credit is awarded for standard-level courses except as noted for IB Diploma recipients.

CAL BERKELEY:

Higher Level Exams ONLY. Passing scores of 5,6,7...

Film, History, Music, Theater, Vis Arts, English, Foreign Languages

CASE WESTERN RESERVE:

Case Western offers course credit for scores of 5,6,7 for MOST HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATIONS.

CHATHAM UNIVERSITY:

Contact Chatham as Credits are awarded in a case by case basis.

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO:

Credit earned for courses in the IB Programme may be applied to certain general education requirements or to electives as described. Course credit is only granted for grades of 6 or 7 on Higher-Level IB Exams.

CLEMSON:
IB graduates who score well on their higher level exams will be awarded credit. Include your IB Candidate # when applying to Clemson. Scores of 4,5,6,and 7 will be awarded credits.

English, Film, Foreign Language, History, Music, Theatre, Vis Arts.

COLUMBIA:

Columbia awards transfer credit only for exams taken at Higher Level. Students receive the equivalent of one year of credit (usually 6 points) for any Higher Level exam on which they receive a 6 or 7.

CONNECTICUT:

Students must have earned the IB DIPLOMA to be considered for credits. HL exams only, scores of 5,6,7. Credits will be automatically awarded for English & History. Credits may be awarded in a case by case basis.

DENVER:

The University of Denver offers college credit for students who have taken and scored well on International Baccalaureate Higher Level Exams. A maximum of 45 credit hours can be awarded. Scores of 4,5,6, and 7 will be considered.

DICKINSON:

Students who have taken International Baccalaureate courses will be granted general college credit for HL IB exams in which they achieve grades of 5 or better. The registrar can review credits for fulfillment of graduation requirements.

DREXEL:

Drexel University awards advanced standing and or credit to students who have achieved superior performance on International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examinations. Standard Level Exams are not considered. Scores of 6 or 7 are accepted for the following IB courses English, History.

DUQUESNE:

Duquesne University may award academic credits to students completing the diploma with a total score of 30 or above. Credits will be awarded at the discretion of a Duquesne University academic advisor.

Students who do not complete the IB diploma are able to receive advanced standing credit for IB HL subjects with scores of 5, 6, or 7. IB standard level scores of 6 or 7 will be accepted in foreign languages for a maximum of eight semester hours per language.

No credit will be given for other standard level courses.

ELON:

Credit awarded for Higher Level Examinations only... Score of 5 or above for Film, History, Language A, Language B, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts (You will earn 4 semester hours for each)

EMORY:

We will award three semester hours of college credit for scores of five, six, or seven on the higher level International Baccalaureate examinations in the subject areas offered in Emory College of Arts and Sciences.

Emory college of arts and sciences does not grant credit for the HL Visual Arts IB Exam.